Controversial Farm Bill Clears One Senate Hurdle
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Updated: June 7, 2012
Arkansas farmers are worried a controversial farm bill thatb just passed a hurdle in the Senate could cost them $244 million in agriculture subsidies.
Supporters of that bill, however, say it will cut federal spending without hurting food programs, slashing just over $26 billion over the next 10 years.
"On our farm, we stand to lose our rice operation. I don't know if we will lose it completely but our acres would be significantly affected," said Dow Brantley, a farmer in England, AR.
Brantley's farm has been in his family since 1909. They employ 25 people, growing rice, corn, cotton and soybeans on 9,000 acres.
The Senate bill won a procedural hurdle by a 90-8 vote and garnered President Obama's support, according to Washington news agencies.
Arkansas Farm Bureau lobbyist Jeff Hunt said the bill "put some fear, I believe, into Arkansas farmers."
Both of Arkansas' Senators, Republican John Boozman and Democrat Mark Pryor oppose the Senate bill. Pryor's office said the Senator was working to improve the bill.
The House is working on their version. Congress has until Sept. 30 to agree on a compromise. If not, then it will be up to lawmakers to extend the existing law.
Comments
Senator Pryor and his wife are getting $24,000 per month from income he did not declare.
When is he going to clear the air about his income taxes? Is Sen.Mark Pryor a crook?
Harvey M.
June 8, 2012 at 3:48 pm
